Tool For Sustainable Management Research Articles

Allelopathic potential and competitive traits of sweetpotato cultivars

Allelopathy and competition are components of plant-plant interactions, delimiting the level of interference. Understanding this interaction has practical applications in agriculture. Crop cultivars possessing high allelopathic ability and competitive traits are themselves tools for sustainable weed management, enabling reduced use of herbicides. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to assess the weed suppressive ability of selected sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivars. The effect of nine cultivars on Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), junglerice (Echinochloa colona L.), and hemp sesbania (Sesbania hederacea P. Mill.) was first evaluated in the greenhouse. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design with four replications and conducted twice. Sweetpotatoes were cultured in sand. The target weeds were seeded in pots filled with a 2:1 mix of field soil:potting mix and watered with 100-ml aliquot of sweetpotato root leachates once every 2 d. Weed height and shoot biomass were measured. ‘Heartogold’, ‘Centennial’, and ‘Stokes Purple’ were the most allelopathic cultivars. Junglerice was most inhibited by sweetpotato leachates. Nine cultivars were evaluated in the field. Experiments were conducted at Fayetteville and Kibler, Arkansas, USA, in a split-plot design, with weed infestation (broadleaf spp., grass spp., or weed-free) as whole plot and the cultivars as split-plot. Across locations, ‘Beauregard-14’ had the longest vines, whereas ‘Hatteras’ and ‘Heartogold’ had the tallest canopy. ‘Heartogold’ had the largest leaf area. This cultivar reduced weed biomass 2- to 4-fold in both locations. Yield was reduced on average 55 and 68% with grass and broadleaf weeds across locations, respectively. ‘Beauregard-14’ and ‘Bayou Belle-6’were the high-yielding cultivars in Kibler and Fayetteville. The highest yielding cultivars were not the most weed suppressive but did not incur the highest yield loss from weed competition, indicating the ability to withstand weed interference. Cultivar competitiveness, weed-suppressive ability, and weed tolerance are important factors that should be considered before making a cultivar selection.

Wine Tourism—A Sustainable Management Tool for Rural Development and Vineyards: Cross-Cultural Analysis of the Consumer Profile from Romania and Moldova

In recent years, tourism products and services have been oriented to offer more experiences than those of classical leisure activities for tourists. More, the COVID-19 pandemic drew a new trend in travel: the tourists are now oriented to internal offers rather than the external ones, to rural regions instead of urban ones. Romania and Moldova are two well-known international countries that are both producers and exporters of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) wine. The aim of the paper is to analyze (qualitative and quantitative) the motivation of tourists from Romania and Moldova for wine tourism, to model the motivation according to the socio-demographic characteristics of tourists and the specific elements for travel (accommodation, frequencies of visit, average stay). For quantitative analysis, an online questionnaire by convenience sampling was used to collect the data, and statistical methods were used for analysis. Even if these countries have cultural similarities, our results indicate statistically significant different motivations and different profiles of wine tourists. By using a co-occurrence link between the terms from WoS and Scopus scientific articles with VOSviewer software, our results indicate a link between wine tourism, rural and festivals tourism, and cultural heritage. Our research fills a gap in the literature, being the first comparative research on wine tourism in Romania and Moldova.

Bio-control potential of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) against Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The efficacy of most synthetic insecticides has been compromised against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) due to its cryptic feeding behavior, hence there is a dire need to find other eco-friendly effective management approaches to combat this notorious pest. The susceptibility of 2nd and 4th larval instars of C. partellus was assessed against Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt-k) (Berliner) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Mechnikov) under controlled conditions. The larvae were treated with individual or combined treatments of a single dose rate of B. thuringiensis (Bt: 0.75 µg/g) and three conidial concentrations (1x104, 1x106 and 1x108 conidia/ml) of M. anisopliae. The individual and combined application of both entomopathogens significantly affected the mortality, pupation, adult emergence, mycosis and sporulation of both larval instars of C. partellus. Maximum larval mortality (2nd instar: 94.63% and 4th instar: 91.43%) was recorded in combined applications of M. anisopliae (1x108 conidia/ml) and B. thuringiensis (0.75 µg/g). The same integrated treatment also caused significant declines in pupation (2nd: 0.00% and 4th: 6.66%) and adult emergence (2nd: 0.00% and 4th: 0.00%) of C. partellus as compared to rest of the experimental treatments. Moreover, a significantly higher rate of mycosis and sporulation were recorded in both larval instars (2nd: 88.52% and 143.96 conidia/ml) and (4th: 82.04% and 131.85 conidia/ml), when exposed to lower individual concentration of M. anisopliae (1×104 conidia/ml). The current results suggest that integrated application of M. anisopliae and B. thuringiensis could be a sustainable management tool for C. partellus in maize crop.

Evaluating the Impacts of Flying Height and Forward Overlap on Tree Height Estimates Using Unmanned Aerial Systems

Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and structure-from-motion (SfM) image processing are promising tools for sustainable forest management as they allow for the generation of photogrammetrically derived point clouds from UAS images that can be used to estimate forest structure, for a fraction of the cost of LiDAR. The SfM process and the quality of products produced, however, are sensitive to the chosen flight parameters. An understanding of the effect flight parameter choice has on accuracy will improve the operational feasibility of UASs in forestry. This study investigated the change in the plot-level accuracy of top-of-canopy height (TCH) across three levels of flying height (80 m, 100 m, and 120 m) and four levels of forward overlap (80%, 85%, 90%, and 95%). A SenseFly eBee X with an Aeria X DSLR camera was used to collect the UAS imagery which was then run through the SfM process to derive photogrammetric point clouds. Estimates of TCH were extracted for all combinations of flying height and forward overlap and compared to TCH estimated from ground data. A generalized linear model was used to statistically assess the effect of parameter choice on accuracy. The RMSE (root-mean-square error) of the TCH estimates (RMSETCH) ranged between 1.75 m (RMSETCH % = 5.94%) and 3.20m (RMSETCH % = 10.1%) across all missions. Flying height was found to have no significant effect on RMSETCH, while increasing forward overlap was found to significantly decrease the RMSETCH; however, the estimated decrease was minor at 4 mm per 1% increase in forward overlap. The results of this study suggest users can fly higher and with lower levels of overlap without sacrificing accuracy, which can have substantial time-saving benefits both in the field collecting the data and in the office processing the data.

Towards a sustainability management tool for food manufacturing small and medium‐sized enterprises—Insights from a Delphi study

AbstractSmall and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for a sustainable development of the food sector. Common tools to manage and improve business sustainability are not applied widely amongst food manufacturing SMEs yet. Therefore, this paper derives important aspects to consider for an SME‐suitable tool, based on an extract from a Delphi study. By conducting qualitative analysis of expert opinions, light is shed on needed initial requirements of a sustainability management tool for SMEs to use it. Furthermore, important conditions to create credibility are elaborated on, which can increase the application value of a sustainability management tool for SMEs. The different aspects hint at a sustainability management tool integrating not only sustainability assessment but also reporting and certification. With regard to content, the present paper recommends application of sustainability management tools for food manufacturing SMEs that take a holistic view on sustainability, including not solely the environmental but also social, economic and governance dimensions. The aspects explored through the present research lay a foundation for the development of a sustainability management tool for food manufacturing SMEs and can assist practitioners and researchers.

Farm-level sustainability assessment in Mediterranean environments: Enhancing decision-making to improve business sustainability

In typical Mediterranean settings farming systems are key components and have an impact on the community structure and the environment in which they take place hence it is important to develop tools for Sustainability Assessment (SA). To enable positive change it is necessary to effectively allocate resources. Thus, it is important to understand how farmers’ decision-making impacts their farm’s sustainability performance and their awareness and use of Decision Support Tools (DST) for sustainable management. Twenty representative farms were selected from the National Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) for the regional unit of Argolida (Peloponnese, Greece). To investigate sustainability on these farms an indicator-based method, RISE 3.0, was employed to evaluate the current situation and semi-structured phone interviews were used to identify and analyse patterns and attitudes within the data regarding decision-making, sustainability performance and DST with the help of thematic analysis. The results demonstrate that the decision-making process was poorly informed and not always evidence-based while the concept of sustainability was not well understood by most of the farmers. The sustainability assessment illustrated the specific strengths and weaknesses of farm businesses in the area whereas the correlation of the RISE assessment with perceptions of farmers on decision-making and sustainability performance identified the challenges of moving towards more sustainable systems in typical Mediterranean environments.

A fisheries observer’s model as a tool for sustainable management of the marine trawl fishing in Cameroon

Since, the mid fifties with the opening of the industrial trawl fishery in Cameroon, data collection system is based on landings and vessel captains’ statements and logbooks, difficult to use for stock assessment purpose and thus proper management. Various stocks assessments surveys conducted, show an overexploitation of the costal resource and the decrease of the resource base (Meke, 2015). Besides, the country is threatened by a self-ban of shrimp’s exports to EU countries since 2006 and yellow card due to INN fishing issues in 2021. This paper examines and suggest a fisheries monitoring model of the trawl fishing industry. Findings of the study indicate that boarding observers on vessels at sea will close the data gap necessary for effective fisheries management.The study recommends that Cameroon management authorities adopt the model.

Variables that induce coastal squeeze, case study: Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico

Coastal squeeze describes a dynamic process in which sea level rise and concomitant variables (e.g., increased storms, coastal subsidence) shift coastal habitats to land. The presence of hard structures of anthropogenic origin along the coasts can also create static artificial margins between land and sea, restricting coastal habitats to a narrow area. Ground level rise with respect to the coastal plain, which can be caused by an interrupted hydro-sedimentary flow, can also form added natural barriers. In particular, the coast of Mexico is vulnerable to sea level rise, however, other faster processes could be inducing coastal oppression/squeeze to a greater extent, such as subsidence, extreme hydrometeorological phenomena, changes in land use and erosion derived from sediment retention in the upper coastal basins. The aim of this study is analyzed coastal oppression along the coast for Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico, by finding its determining variables based on a literature review and analysis of open access databases. The processes analyzed correspond to changes in land use, the incidence of storms and the presence of hard structures, among other factors, which have increased rapidly in the study area in recent years and have caused the loss of coastal ecosystems. Ultimately, this work aims to generate a method that can quantitatively measure the effects of coastal oppression in different coastal areas. The resulting method serves as a tool for decision-making and sustainable coastal management. Keywords: coastal zone, land use change, incidence of storms, Gulf of Mexico, Campeche.

The Potential of a Novel Concept of an Integrated Bio and Chemical Formulate Based on an Entomopathogenic Bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis, and a Chemical Insecticide to Control Tomato Leafminer, Tuta absoluta ‘(Meyrick)’ (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), poses severe threats to sustainable tomato production globally with a high capacity to develop resistance to pesticides. Recently, the management programs for this cosmopolitan pest have relied on combinations of chemical insecticides which exacerbate the problems of cross-resistance and adverse environmental effects. A novel concept of integrated formulates through combining a chemical insecticide model of lambda-cyhalothrin with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products as the formulation core was explored and evaluated. The susceptibility of the second instar larvae of tomato leafminer to the original formulation of lambda-cyhalothrin, Dipel, XenTari, and Agree products was assessed and compared to the combined formulations. The positive and negative impacts of lambda-cyhalothrin on the viability and pathogenicity of Bt strains were tracked and documented. The physicochemical properties of the combined formulates were examined and compared to the international standards of pesticide formulations. The proposed integrated combined formulates of Dipel, XenTari, and Agree biopesticides with lambda-cyhalothrin showed an enhancing effect and had a higher potential than the originally manufactured formulations alone for about a 3.67–10.08-fold impact on larval mortality. Lambda-cyhalothrin had no significant adverse effect on either the viability of Bt strains or the physicochemical properties of combined co-formulates. Therefore, such integrated combined formulates would have the potential to be involved as an alternative or a complementary approach in pest management and pest resistance management tools for sustainable pest management.

EFFECT OF WATER LEVEL ON MIGRATORY BIRDS HABITAT AT LAKE MAGGIORE

Abstract. Migratory birds need to stop along their route to rest and feed at so called stopover sites. “Bolle di Magadino” is a protected wetland located near lake Maggiore (CH), an internationally recognized nesting and stop-over site for birds. The waters of Lake Maggiore are important resources for multiple usages, and are artificially regulated through a dam. Even slight variations in the water level are sufficient to cause flooding and draining of large portions of the wetlands, affecting foraging and resting opportunities for birds. We use open data and FOSS4G to study the effect of water level on bird migration. We compared the extent and type of flooded habitat using two approaches: Sentinel-1 remote sensing imagery and simulations based on the measured water level. The effect of type and extent of submerged vegetation obtained with both methods was tested against a time series of bird captures. Both methods had a similar temporal pattern of flooding in autumn, but nearly opposite in spring. The total extent and the type of submerged habitats showed significant differences. The results obtained by simulations based on water level were more correlated to birds captures and species richness than the estimations of flooded habitat derived by with Sentinel-1. The results presented here will contribute to the definition sustainable management tools of water management of lake Maggiore taking into account the effect of lake level on biodiversity.

Experimental Biology in Conflict Resolutions: The Case of Pelicans and Cormorants in Israel

In Israel, which is a bottleneck for some six hundred million migrating birds, the drainage of the Hula Lake in the north resulted in serious conflicts between fish-eating birds and the intensive fish farming and agriculture that became established on the reclaimed land. Implementation of various deterrence methods, including lethal control, failed to solve these conflicts. We followed the concept that only by understanding the biology of the organism in question could the tools (indications) for effective and sustainable management be devised that would solve such conflicts while helping the preservation of natural assets such as wetlands and their inhabitants. We demonstrated this concept in the solutions reached in the case studies of pelicans and cormorants and their interactions with intensive commercial fish ponds. We studied the physiological condition, food preference and energy demands, and ecological constraints of Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus, Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and Pygmy Cormorant Microcarbo pygmeus. As a result, we suggested different management solutions that are currently implemented with the full cooperation of the fishermen and the nature preservation authorities. Based on assessment of visual acuity to detect and catch fish under water Great Cormorants were effectively pushed towards Lake Kinneret where they could hunt more profitable fish than in the turbid fish ponds. The established roosts there were not controlled such as to lead the birds away from the fishponds. In case of the pelicans, part of the drained Hula valley was reflooded and extra fish was provided. Both measures effectively reduced the damage at the fish farms. We have shown that such solutions are economically helpful for fishermen and enable the preservation of the wetland habitat.

Assessing Farmer Incentives for Transitioning Toward Sustainable Agriculture and Provisioning of Clean Water

Farms are a major source of water pollution in the form of nutrient run off that cause harmful algal blooms and anoxia, both signs of deteriorating water quality. Current policies that incentivize the adoption of nutrient management practices (NMPs) are insufficient, especially as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of flooding. To evaluate the incentives of current policy designs, we implemented a conjoint analysis on survey data collected in the Missisquoi and Lamoille watersheds of Lake Champlain Basin in three waves (2013, 2015, 2020). Using panel and cross-sectional observations over the three waves, we investigate farmers' willingness to accept (WTA) payment for NMPs that improve soil health and reduce nutrient runoff. We identified farmers' WTA for the adoption of three NMPs, cover cropping, conservation tillage, and buffer strips. The approach quantifies gaps between the incentives offered by the current federal conservation programs and payments preferred by farmers as well as the relative importance of NMP attributes. The influence of the payments decreased over the course of the three survey waves, suggesting the characteristics of NMPs are driving farmers' preferences for them. Our analysis shows farmers WTA is 1.13–6 times higher than what existing incentive programs offer. The incentive gaps between WTA and the cheapest of NMPs offered by EQIP are $55.61 for tillage, $103.60 for cover crop and $37.62 for buffers. Designing policy instruments to reduce this gap, the federal programs and policies will be more effective at scaling up the adoption of NMPs by farmers as a tool for sustainable watershed management.

Maintaining Sustainability and Resilience in Rangeland Ecosystems

Rangelands contribute to human well-being worldwide. However, its fragile ecosystems are threatened due to inappropriate management that has been leading to its degradation in African rangelands in general and in Ethiopian rangelands in particular. Rangeland degradation is attributable to both natural and anthropogenic causes. Restoring degraded areas by replanting using native species is one of the most promising sustainable rangeland management tools to fight the degradation in the rangelands and enhance resilience in the face of environmental shocks. Restoration improves vegetation cover and biomass yield and enhances other ecosystem services. Native drought-tolerant species have produced promising rehabilitation outcomes and have been recommended for the restoration of degraded rangeland areas. Replanting using native species remains a viable sustainable management option to enhance resilience in the face of environmental shocks. Therefore, to maintain the sustainability and resilient rangeland ecosystems, comprehensive approaches and strategies suitable for rangelands need to be revitalized, developed, strengthened and promoted.

Indian Mustard and Buckwheat as Trap Plants of Diamondback Moth (Plutella xylostella L.) in Cabbage Cultivation

Diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is an important pest of crucifer crops. It greatly reduced both yield and crop quality on cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). The field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two trap plants: Indian mustard (Brassica juncea), and Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) from November 2018 to March 2019 in Chitwan, Nepal. Diamondback moths’ population were similar in trap plants but was significantly lower as compared to the control plot. Diamondback moth larvae population was lower during early vegetative growth stages whereas trapping efficacy of trap crops were gradually reduced with the development of maturity in trap plants. The lowest damage of wrapper leaves were obtained in Indian mustard deployed trap plant followed by buckwheat trap plant and control respectively; however, the yield was similar in all treatments. In addition, natural enemies were observed higher in traps crops deployed plots compared to the control plots. Therefore, trap plants can be used as an alternative sustainable pest management tool to manage diamondback moth as well as increase the abundance of natural enemies.

Performances of MLR, RBF-NN, and MLP-NN in the evaluation and prediction of water resources quality for irrigation purposes under two modeling scenarios

One of the pivotal decision-making tools for sustainable management of water resources for various uses is accurate prediction of water quality. In the present paper, multiple linear regression (MLR), radial basis function neural network (RBF-NN), and multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP-NN) models were developed for the monitoring and management of irrigation water quality (IWQ) in Ojoto area, southeastern Nigeria. This paper is the first to integrate and simultaneously implement these predictive methods for the modeling of sodium absorption ratio, permeability index, Kelly’s ratio, percentage sodium, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium hazard, and potential salinity. Moreover, two modeling scenarios were considered. Scenario 1 represents predictions that utilized the specific physicochemical parameters for calculating the IWQ indices as input variables while Scenario 2 represents predictions that utilized pH, EC, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3- as inputs. In terms of salinity hazard, most of the water resources are unsuitable/poor for irrigation. However, in terms of carbonate and bicarbonate impact and magnesium hazard, majority of the samples have good and excellent IWQ. Seven agglomerative Q-mode dendrograms spatiotemporally classified the water resources based on the IWQ indices. Model validation metrics showed that the MLR, RBF-NN, and MLP-NN models developed in the two scenarios performed well. In Scenario 1, the R2 range for MLR, RBF-NN, and MLP-NN was 0.721-1.000, 0.814-0.989, and 0.924-0.983, respectively. However, in Scenario 2, the R2 range was 0.778-1.000, 0.881-0.947, and 0.872-0.987, respectively. This paper would significantly contribute to literature for the advancement of IWQ prediction and management.

A study on soil fertility status of adopted model village in Rahuamani, Kahra block of Saharsa district in Bihar

Soil fertility assessment in a region is the most basic decision-making tool for sustainable soil nutrient management. A soil fertility status inventory work was carried out in adopted model village, Rahuamani of Kahra block in Saharsa district. One hundred soil samples were randomely collected based on the handled GPS location. Results showed that 91% samples were found in neutral reaction and all the samples fall under normal and safe category of electrical conductivity. Sixty-five per cent soil samples fall under lows organic carbon content and 35% samples were medium in organic carbon content. 61% of the study area was deficient in available N and 81% samples were fall under medium category of fertility status of P5O5. The available potassium content in soil, 90% of the soil samples were medium fertility level. It was found that 75% samples were in medium soil sulphur category. Zn content of the study are fall under the medium fertility category. Similarly, 58% sample deficient in copper content and 47% sample are deficient in available Mn. Out of total soil sample analyzed 78% samples are deficient in B content in soil.

A review on phyto-remediation by aquatic macrophytes: A natural promising tool for sustainable management of ecosystem

Heavy metal pollution is a significant source of pollution in the environment. Heavy metal contamination in aquifers endangers public health and the freshwater and marine ecosystems. Traditional wastewater treatment methods are mainly expensive, ecologically damaging, ineffective, and take much time. Phyto-remediation is a plant-based technique that gained popularity by discovering heavy metal accumulating plants that can accumulate, transport, and consolidate enormous quantities of certain hazardous contaminants. This is a low-cost sustainable evolving technique featuring long-term utility. Several terrestrial and aquatic vegetation have now been examined for their ability to repair polluted soils and streams. Several submerged plants have already been discovered to remove harmful pollutants such as Zn, As, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb & Hg. The most important part of effective phyto-remediation is selecting and choosing effective plant species. Aquatic macrophytes have high effectiveness for removing chemical contaminates. Watercress, hydrilla, alligator weed, pennywort, duckweed plants, water hyacinth are examples of aquatic macrophytes. Several macrophytes' metal absorption capability and procedures have now been explored or analyzed. Most of these research demonstrated that macrophytes had bioremediation capability. The bioremediation capability of macrophytes can be increased even more by employing novel bioremediation techniques. To demonstrate the extensive application of phyto-remediation, a comprehensive summary assessment of the usage of macrophytes for phyto-remediation is compiled.

Merits and Limitations of Element Balances as a Forest Planning Tool for Harvest Intensities and Sustainable Nutrient Management—A Case Study from Germany

Climate change and rising energy costs have led to increasing interest in the use of tree harvest residues as feedstock for bioenergy in recent years. With an increasing use of wood biomass and harvest residues, essential nutrient elements are removed from the forest ecosystems. Hence, nutrient sustainable management is mandatory for planning of intensive forest use. We used soil nutrient balances to identify regions in Germany where the output of base cations by leaching and biomass utilization was not balanced by the input via weathering and atmospheric deposition. The effects of conventional stem harvesting, stem harvesting without bark, and whole-tree harvesting on Ca, Mg and K balances were studied. The nutrient balances were calculated using regular forest monitoring data supplemented by additional data from scientific projects. Effective mitigation management strategies and options are discussed and calculations for the compensation of the potential depletion of nutrients in the soil are presented.

Cover crops may exacerbate moisture limitations on South Texas dryland farms

Cover crops are a sustainable management tool for mediating weed pressure, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) levels. Yet, adoption rates across water-limited farms in Texas remain low, especially among producers without irrigation access, due to concerns that cover crop use of soil moisture will negatively impact subsequent cash crop yields. This three-year cover crop trial in a rain-fed sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i> L.) farm in Lyford, Texas, trialed different cover crop mixes and seeding rates and confirmed that cover cropping leads to significant soil moisture deficits and cash crop failure when rainfall is low between cover crop termination and cash crop planting (&lt;30 mm). In seasons one and three, moisture deficits contributed to significantly lower germination of post–cover crop sorghum compared to fallow control plots. In season two, increased precipitation during a longer moisture recharge period between cover crop termination and cash crop planting helped avoid sorghum yield drops. Length of recharge period, amount of rainfall, species selection, planting density, and termination method are major determinants of subsequent cash crop outcomes. Careful management can minimize some of the risks cover cropping poses to soil moisture, but without reliable rainfall at key points in the cropping cycle, cover cropping remains risky for farmers without irrigation access.

Symmetrical, non-sovereign cartography as a means for conservation: insights from a participatory forest mapping exercise

Studies of participatory mapping consider it to be a grassroots activity that secures customary rights, the sovereignty of marginalized communities, and as a tool for conservation and sustainable resource management. Political ecology sees such grassroots struggles as sites where multiple (human) groups/actors articulate and contest their knowledge of, and control over, entities called 'resources.' However, 'resources' exclude the role of other-than-humans, thereby perpetuating asymmetrical and anthropocentric ways of knowing and conceptualizing place-based struggles. In the quest for distributive justice, the modern principle of sovereignty also goes unchallenged. Through an ethnographic observation of participatory mapping among the indigenous Gonds of Adilabad in South India, this Grassroots article shows that by incorporating other-than-human actors as equal agents of conservation, the Gonds have produced a non-sovereign, symmetrical map that challenges notions of human sovereignty over a seemingly inert 'nature.' Grassroots mapping can include other-than-humans, making it a potent exercise in revealing and articulating more-than-human ways of conservation.